Group for homeless is criticized

Tracy Arant has lived in Tent City 3 for the last two years and says her experience in the camp and with SHARE / WHEEL has helped her find her voice. (Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times)

Confront the lawbreakersSeattle City Councilmember Nick Licata “warned” colleagues on the City Council that enforcing the law against homeless encampment Nickelsville and its sponsor SHARE/WHEEL might “force a confrontation.” Good, about time. In fact, a confrontation is way past due [“Call to close camp brings a warning,” page one, June 13].

I lived on the Eastside during what came to be known as the “Tent City Wars,” and I helped lead the opposition to SHARE’s cynical and unlawful activities. Violations of municipal ordinances, an in-your-face attitude toward local citizens and using the homeless as pawns in a political game were standard operating procedures for SHARE and its major-domo Scott Morrow, then and now.

Now I live in the New York area where SHARE and Morrow wouldn’t last a second. New York, obligated by law to care for the homeless, doesn’t tolerate monkeyshine street-theater shenanigans like Nickelsville.

You see fewer homeless on the streets of Manhattan than you do in Seattle because the homeless know not to play games. They get services, but on the city’s terms not on theirs.

Elected officials and the police should be prepared to confront lawbreakers, homeless or not.

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